-
Home
-
International Report
- Europe/Russia
Europe/Russia
Germany | Privately-owned Sazerac wants to acquire the listed German spirits company Berentzen Group as it broadens its presence in Europe. The deal is not a done deal yet as it still requires regulatory and shareholder approval. And here trouble looms. One of Berentzen’s shareholders, the Swiss pension fund Aevum, which has raised its stake to 10 percent stake and is Berentzen’s third-largest, considers the cash offer of EUR 5.55 (USD 6.31) per share to be too low. Sazerac’s offer already represents a premium of 68 percent to the average price during the three months prior to the announcement. But, still, Aevum does not want to sell, media reported on 9 October.
Europe/Russia
Russia | As the Duma debates the framework of the draft federal budget for 2027 to 2029, the finance ministry is proposing to hike import tariffs on spirits and beer from “unfriendly countries” to EUR 5 per litre (or EUR 500 per hl), Interfax reported on 29 September. The new tariff basically applies to all countries which are not members of the Eurasian Economic Union of five post-Soviet countries.
Europe/Russia
Belgium | It may be a niche style in the Belgium beer market, but on 1 October, Vlaams roodbruin bier – also known as Flanders Red Ale – was registered by the European Commission as a Protected geographical indication (PGI). This EU seal links a product to a specific place and protects its name against misuse, while reassuring consumers they are getting the real stuff.
Europe/Russia
France | The agriculture ministry warned that wine production could hit a 70-year low in 2026, marking the third year of reduced output, as a record-hot summer and severe droughts hit the country’s vintners hard. Production is forecast to drop to 34 million hl in 2026, 6 percent below last year and 17 percent below the average for 2021 to 2025, according to Agreste, the statistics service of the French agriculture ministry. If the forecast, set on 1 September, is confirmed, the crop would be the smallest since 1957 in the log kept by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine.
Europe/Russia
United Kingdom | Is the “review” a first step towards exiting brewing? The family-run Shepherd Neame, Britain's oldest brewer established in 1698 which operates 280 pubs across Kent, London and the South East, reported on 30 September that its revenue declined 1.1 percent to GBP 162.6 million (USD 215 million) in its financial year ended 27 June 2026 over the previous year.
Europe/Russia
United Kingdom | CAMRA is calling for legal protections similar to those safeguarding the famous Cornish pasty, after Molson Coors confirmed it will close the Sharp’s brewery in Rock, Cornwall, in December with the loss of 40 jobs. Production of Sharp’s Doom Bar beer will be moved to Molson Coors’ brewery in Hartlepool 680 km away, media reported on 30 September.
Europe/Russia
Germany | Germans are drinking less beer – 19 percent over the past ten years – and Warsteiner is feeling the impact, according to its press release (23 September). In addition to the cost-cutting measures already approved – such as the closure of the Herford brewery and the planned sale of the Paderborn brewery with the loss of some 200 jobs – the firm plans to cut 125 positions at its brewery in Warstein by year’s end.
Europe/Russia
Germany | Concern is growing in Bremen over the future of the Beck’s brand after AB-InBev increased its push behind Budweiser in Germany while local employees and union officials say support for the Bremen beer brand has faded.
Europe/Russia
United Kingdom | Tilray Brands launched a major multi-platform marketing campaign for BrewDog to make one message unmistakably clear: the brand is entering a new era under Tilray ownership, with fresh investment, renewed energy and strong backing behind its beers, bars and people.
Europe/Russia
United Kingdom | Unsecured creditors owed more than GBP 190 million (USD 251 million) from the failed BrewDog will receive nearly nothing (less than a penny in the pound), media reported on 19 September. The administrator, AlixPartners, warned there were “insufficient funds” to pay debts in full, including taxes and a string of bills from other businesses.
Most Read
BRAUWELT on tour
Most Read
BRAUWELT on tour
